“Having said this, Bhima of mighty arms, fired with wrath, began to squeeze his palms, sighing deeply in affliction.  Excited again with wrath like an extinguished fire blazing up all on a sudden, Vrikodara once more beheld his brothers sleeping on the ground like ordinary persons sleeping in trustfulness.  And Bhima said unto himself, ’I think there is some town not far off from this forest.  These all are asleep, so I will sit awake.  And this will slake their thirst after they rise refreshed from sleep.’  Saying this, Bhima sat there awake, keeping watch over his sleeping mother and brothers.’”

SECTION CLIV

(Hidimva-vadha Parva)

“Vaisampayana said, ’Not far from the place where the Pandavas were asleep, a Rakshasa by name Hidimva dwelt on the Sala tree.  Possessed of great energy and prowess, he was a cruel cannibal of visage that was grim in consequence of his sharp and long teeth.  He was now hungry and longing for human flesh.  Of long shanks and a large belly, his locks and beard were both red in hue.  His shoulders were broad like the neck of a tree; his ears were like unto arrows, and his features were frightful.  Of red eyes and grim visage, the monster beheld, while casting his glances around, the sons of Pandu sleeping in those woods.  He was then hungry and longing for human flesh.  Shaking his dry and grizzly locks and scratching them with his fingers pointed upwards, the large-mouthed cannibal repeatedly looked at the sleeping sons of Pandu yawning wistfully at times.  Of huge body and great strength, of complexion like the colour of a mass of clouds, of teeth long and sharp-pointed and face emitting a sort of lustre, he was ever pleased with human flesh.  And scenting the odour of man, he addressed his sister, saying, ’O sister, it is after a long time that such agreeable food hath approached me!  My mouth waters at the anticipated relish of such food.  My eight teeth, so sharp-pointed and incapable of being resisted by any substance, I shall, today, after a long time, put into the most delicious flesh.  Attacking the human throat and even opening the veins, I shall (today) drink a plentiful quantity of human blood, hot and fresh and frothy.  Go and ascertain who these are, lying asleep in these woods.  The strong scent of man pleaseth my nostrils.  Slaughtering all these men, bring them unto me.  They sleep within my territory.  Thou needest have no fear from them.  Do my bidding soon, for we shall then together eat their flesh, tearing off their bodies at pleasure.  And after feasting to our fill on human flesh we shall then dance together to various measures!’